Blog

Vervante • June 15, 2024

Including a 15-minute or 30-minute coaching call as a bonus can be an excellent strategy for increasing the value of your book or product. This not only allows you to raise the price of your book but also serves as a gateway to getting new clients into your larger coaching program. How It Works Create a Compelling Offer: Offer a free 15 or 30-minute coaching call with the purchase of your book or workbook. Highlight the unique value and personalized attention the buyer will receive. Adjust Your Pricing: Increase the price of your book to reflect the added value of the coaching call. Customers will see the additional cost as a worthwhile investment for the personalized guidance they receive. Promote the Bonus: Use your marketing channels—social media, email newsletters, and website—to promote this special offer. Explain the benefits and how the coaching call will help them get more from your book. Include Clear Instructions: Ensure your buyers can claim their coaching call. This could be a link to schedule the call directly or instructions on how to contact you via email. Also, you can include a printed certificate with your product outlining the steps to book the coaching call. This certificate is a tangible reminder and adds a professional touch to your offer. Use the Call to Upsell: During the coaching call, focus on providing value and addressing the buyer's needs. This is also a chance to introduce your more extensive coaching program and how it can help them further. Success Stories Many of our customers have found success with this approach. They’ve built stronger relationships with their clients by providing a coaching call, leading to higher customer satisfaction and more referrals. Additionally, the one-on-one interaction often results in new clients for their broader coaching services, generating significant returns on the initial investment. Incorporating a coaching call as a bonus with your book or workbook can enhance your product's value, increase sales, and be a powerful marketing tool to attract new clients. Start offering this bonus today and watch your business grow!  

Vervante • February 1, 2022

Questions about best practices when it comes to setting up shopping carts, calculating postage and choosing shipping methods are some of our most frequent, so we decided to share a few of our best tips here to help you – and your customer – get the best results. How to set up shopping carts Q: What shopping cart works best with Vervante? A: We work with any shopping cart, so your choice is always the right one! Q: How do you know when I get an order through my shopping cart? A: To process orders from the shopping cart you use, we just need ONE of the following: A copy of the order email generated from your shopping cart, OR A shipping/fulfillment report, usually a csv file, generated from your shopping cart, OR An email with the order information VERY IMPORTANT: All orders MUST include our Vervante part number. Most shopping carts have a field for part number or SKU.  Or the part number can be added in parenthesis after the title. For example, “My Book Title Here” (V123456). For a download that specifies how to set an order email up, click HERE. This will work with any shopping cart and we recommend that you supply your technical support team with this info when adding new items to your shopping cart. Q: Do you have instructions for integrating specific shopping carts like PayPal or Woo Commerce? A: On our website HERE we also have specific instructions for integration with our system for some of the most-used shopping carts including 1ShoppingCart, Big Commerce, Click Bank, Infusion Soft, PayPal, E-Junkie, Woo Commerce, Thrive Cart and Premium Web Cart. We accept orders from ANY shopping cart, so even if you don’t see your cart logo on our order processing page we accept all orders. Q: Do I need to worry about taxes when setting up products in my shopping cart? A: We do not handle calculating or gathering sales tax for our customers. We recommend that you check with your accountant regarding sales tax collections and liabilities.   Shipping Methods Q: Where do you ship? A: We ship anywhere in the world using USPS and UPS services. Q: How do I know which shipping method to use? A: We automatically ship all books and products using the least expensive shipping method based on the weight and zip/postal code used. However, you can always select a different shipping method that best fits your needs. NOTE: We do not default automatically to Media Mail even if this is the least expensive option. If you’d like your orders shipped via Media Mail you need to select this as your default. (For more details about Media Mail, and why we don’t use this as our default, please refer to “The Pros and Cons of Using Media Mail” on our blog. To designate a default shipping method for any of your products, click on the link for “Select Specific Shipping Methods” under the My Profile section on your Author Dashboard. There you will see a list of your products and a place to designate what shipping method you would like to use. If you make any changes, be sure to click on the "Update" button at the bottom of the page.   Q: How do I know what my product weighs? A: When we first set up a new item, we estimate the weight. That’s the number you’ll see in the “Est Ship Weight” column on the shipping methods page we referenced in the previous question. Once the item is in production, the final shipping weight can be viewed on the “Calculate Postage” page found on your Author Dashboard. Q: How do I know when you’ve shipped my orders? A: Here's how we keep you up-to-date on the status of orders: We receive notifications from your shopping carts for orders placed. Orders are completed and prepped for shipping, the package is scanned, and shipping labels are applied. Products are mailed according to your preferred shipping method. Shipping confirmation emails are sent to recipients with tracking information. Order information such as status and tracking numbers are posted to your account online via the “View Orders and Status” link on your Author Dashboard. Q: Can packing slips be customized? A: Every package we send includes a packing slip inside and you have the option of customizing it however you’d like. Think of this as valuable real estate perfect for sharing information like: A greeting or message that makes a personal connection Your logo for brand awareness Return policies that eliminate confusion about timeframes or refunds Business address and contact information (NOTE: Prices are NOT included on packing slips.) To add personalized content for your packing slip, click on “Customize My Packing Slip” on your Author Dashboard. **If you’d like more information about using packing slips, handling returns, and suggested content you can adapt and use for your packing slip, click HERE to read more on our blog.   Returns Q: How does Vervante handle returns? A: We highly recommend that you share your return policy on your packing slip to direct your customers what to do if they want to send a product back. We will accept returns, but all returns sent to us will incur a $4.00 charge to your account. For instance, if you would like returns sent back to your office so you can use them for prizes, promotions, display or to sell to other customers, please include instructions and address information on the packing slip for customers to send the products directly to you.  Here are some of the ways we handle returns in more detail: If an order has an insufficient address or other address issues, it will be returned to our office. We will notify you when we receive it, and the reason for the return. If we receive a return for insufficient address or address problems, and you are able to provide us with an updated correct address, we will reship the order at no additional charge except for the postage. If a product has NOT been opened, used or is not damaged, we will re-use the product. If the product HAS been opened, we do not re-use returns. These products are discarded. Calculating Postage Q: How do I calculate shipping costs? A: We’ve provided a postage calculator to help determine shipping costs. From your author dashboard click on the “Calculate Postage” link under the Support section. Your items and their weights are listed there for easy referral. All you need to do is use the official USPS calculator on that page to determine shipping costs. Q: How do I make sure I’m using the best shipping method? A: Using the shipping calculator to find the best rates is usually the best way to do. However, for some of our customers who ship internationally, it’s good to review your accounts from time to time to verify the costs.  Q: Do you also charge “handling” fees? A: For print on demand products, we do not charge handling fees. Here’s how we calculate charges: “Cost of printing book + Cost of shipping/postage = what we charge.” There are no other hidden costs. For products printed or produced in bulk, there is an order fee plus a pick fee to pull the item from inventory, plus postage. Order and pick fees only apply to individual drop ship orders pulled from inventory and shipped on demand. Inventory & Warehousing Q: Are there charges for using your warehouse to store products and ship them later? A: We can print books and products, hold them in our warehouse, and ship on demand when you need them. There are no storage fees for products we print or produce. There may be storage fees for products that we store but didn’t print. If you have any questions we haven’t covered here about shopping carts, postage rates, shipping and fulfillment be sure to check our website for more details or reach out to use at [email protected].

Vervante • January 19, 2022

You've probably seen us talk about POD often enough, but what about MOQ? When it comes to the print and publishing world, becoming familiar with printing terms like these is a great way to minimize confusion and help you make the right decisions for budgeting, printing and sales down the line. Here's what you need to know: What is MOQ? “MOQ”, or minimum order quantity, refers to the fewest number of units required to be purchased at one time in order to place an order. The main reason for minimum order quantity is due to the upfront fixed costs associated with setting up a custom print job. Minimum order amounts can vary as well, depending on the product. To find out what the minimum order amount is for a specific product, please reach out to us either using the "Get a Quote" link on our website, or by emailing [email protected]. What is POD? Print on Demand, "POD", uses digital printing methods to print books and other products only in the amount needed. This means you can order 1 book or you can order 100, whatever you need. (More details here: "How Vervante Print On Demand works") POD vs MOQ The deciding factor on whether printing will be POD or MOQ depends on the type and complexity of product. We've created a graphic you can see here that lists many of the products we provide and whether they are POD or MOQ. For example: POD: Card decks, paperback books, notepads, and saddle-stitch booklets MOQ: Hardcover planners and books, kiss-cut or die-cut stickers, and anything with foil stamping or wire-o binding To access this graphic anytime, or download it for free, visit our Expert Guides page on the Vervante website.

Vervante • January 11, 2022

If you’re feeling a bit apprehensive about what this new year will bring, you’re not alone. The good news is that we’re always thinking about ways to help, and we figured what better what to start strong for the New Year that to share the best of what we've been talking about here at Vervante headquarters! Our team works in-depth and personally with each and every one of our customers. We’ve kept a close eye on what’s working for products and publishing right now so we can provide you with the best ideas and resources to help make this the best yet. That’s how we came up with: Our Top 5 Lessons for Thriving in 2022 Lesson #1: Your Author Platform is Very Important Once you write a book or create a product - you need to make sure that people know it's there! Every author  needs an author platform. Especially self-published authors. Social media is great, but when it comes down to it, you need to create and nurture an audience of interested and excited fans that will support your growth (and your bottom line). An author website that you control is a great place to start. Create and maintain a database of contact information as well, so you can send them newsletters or updates for new products, events or promotions. Add an active social media account and an Amazon Author Page and you've got all the makings for a vibrant author platform. A few resources to help: How to Create An Author Website How to Build A Contact List How to Set Up and Use Amazon Author Pages Lesson #2: Don’t Stop with Just One Idea If you’re launching a book, planner or other new product for 2022, don't stop with just that one idea, turn it into a collection! Customers who love your products will be excited when they see you have additional items available that complement or make it even better. For ideas about how to do this, check out our article about how to turn a planner into a whole collection. You can use these ideas for anything - books, journals, business training products, etc. Lesson #3: Take Your Products for a Test Run Looking at a product on your computer screen is a whole lot different than holding it in your hands in real life. We offer samples and resources to help you make absolutely sure that your product fits your vision before you send it out into the world. Start by watching videos of our CEO showing how products look and function Next, order samples of our products to road-test how they look, feel, and function Once you've created your book or product, order a test copy (or copies) for a final check Lesson #4: The Technical Stuff Matters When it comes to designing and creating a book or product, it's important to pay attention to design details for a successful printing experience. For example, you can have a gorgeous cover design for your book, but if when you look inside the words are cut off in the margin, or holes are punched in the wrong places, it can ruin the whole experience. Details like margin width and print file formatting are very important, as you can see. Whether you are doing the design yourself, or you use a graphic design professional, attention to these technical details is crucial. Here are a few resources to help: The Ultimate Checklist for Creating Print-Ready Files Why Margin Width is Important for Printing Using Canva to Design Printed Products How to Prepare Your Files for Printing The Importance of Copyediting Lesson #5: Start Planning Now As our CEO, Cindy Tyler, stated in last week's newsletter, it's very important to start planning now to ensure a successful experience down the road. If you want to create a 2023 planner, start now. If you want to write a book, develop a new product, etc., start now. Even if you're thinking of a holiday launch and it seems soooo far away, it really isn't. Set your goals, strategize your timeline, and don't put it off. We’re cheering you on for a successful and satisfying 2022!

Vervante • November 11, 2021

If you plan on selling products this holiday season, this is one of those emails you need to keep on hand. No matter what you need - from extra print runs to calculating postage and shipping - we can help. CHOOSING SHIPPING METHOD Vervante gives our customers the ability to choose the best shipping method for your needs. Our shipping system will automatically default to Media Mail for domestic shipments. However, if you want your orders to arrive by Christmas, we don't recommend Media Mail after November 30. If you want to set a specific shipping method for a product, you can do this from your Author Dashboard. Here's how: STEP #1: Log into your Vervante Author Dashboard and select the link that says "Select Specific Shipping Methods." You will see a list of your products, their estimated weights, and the default shipping methods. Initially the shipping methods are set to the default of "Best Way." This means that we will use Media Mail unless you change (or have previously) changed the shipping method to something else. (Remember, if you want your packages to arrive by Christmas, we don't recommend using Media Mail after Nov. 30). STEP #2: FOR INTERNATIONAL SHIPPING please click on the link at the top of the page for International Shipping Methods. STEP #3: TO SET DEFAULT SHIPPING METHODS for each of your products, select the desired method you prefer in the right hand column, then click on the "Update Ship Methods" button at the bottom of the page to save your preferences. (VERY IMPORTANT: Don't forget to save your changes) For more details and tips on things like using Media Mail and making sure you're choosing the best shipping method, be sure to check out our article on the blog here: "How to Set Up Shipping for the Holidays." CALCULATING POSTAGE We offer a postage calculator on the Vervante website for our customers. Here’s how to use it: Log into your Vervante account Scroll down to the Support section and select Calculate Postage You will see your products listed and their weight Below your product list you’ll see a USPS shipping calculator.  You can then enter information such as destination, dates, weight, etc to calculate shipping costs. PRINTING TURNAROUND TIMES Be sure to allow time for your products to be printed as you plan your holiday sales deadlines. Turnaround time for products printed on demand is usually 5-7 business days.  Due to increased volume in December, orders may take an additional 2-3 business days to print. HOLIDAY SHIPPING Did you know that because Black Friday falls on Nov 26 this year, you only have less than a month to make sure all orders make it to your customers on time? For that reason, it’s a good idea to get familiar with shipping deadlines. UPS: If you use UPS, check here for their November and December deadlines US POSTAL SERVICE: For USPS, you can check here for shipping deadlines and postage information 2022 DAILY PLANNERS If you’re planning on selling a daily planner for 2022, here are some important dates and information to know. Turnaround times for hardcover planners is approximately 4-6 weeks. For all other planners (laminated, board covers, poly paper, etc.), turnaround time is approximately 4 weeks.  If you are planning on selling a hardcover planner, we are still accepting orders, but cannot guarantee that they will be finished and shipped in time for the Christmas holiday. Please email our team at [email protected] for questions or assistance. FULFILLMENT HELP If you already printed your products and need an easy to manage distribution resource for the holidays or for any time of the year, we can help. Here’s how: Store your products in our modern warehouse facility located in Utah Provide us with order information and we will pull the required products from inventory, package and ship directly to your customers This can be done for individual orders or bulk orders Click here to learn more about our Fulfillment Services Click here to learn more about our Warehousing and Inventory Management Services

Vervante • November 1, 2021

Are you ready for Black Friday? If you haven't started planning, now is the time. Whether you're looking to add new income streams to your business, or just give your bottom line a boost for the holiday season, we can help. We’ve got what you need with plenty of products and tips that can be ready to go in time for Black Friday and remain bestsellers through the New Year. Here are 6 of our bestselling products that can be sold just as they are, or customized to create exactly what you - and your customers - need: PLANNERS: Use ours or design your own (Check out our 7-steps to create the perfect planner guide.) JOURNALS: soft cover and hard cover (here's a great video about creating journals.) DOOR HANGERS: So cute, easy to create and customize CALENDARS: Desktop, tear off, flip or wall calendars GREETING CARDS: Packaged individually or in sets of 10 in a stationery box with a clear lid CARD DECKS: Any size, any number of cards All of the products we've listed above can be customized - but you can also use our ready-made designs and make them your own by simply adding your logo or branding. If you like the idea of selling these for Black Friday, choose which products you would like to sell, contact us if you would like to add your logo or customize the design, then add them to your sales pages and shopping carts. Reach out to our publishing experts at [email protected] and we'll help you get everything ready. Worried about time? No need to stress! Here are a couple tips to help you prepare: TIP #1: If you have the general specs of the product you want to create, we can give you a free quote right away so you can set your retail price and start working on your sales and marketing strategy. TIP #2: Your product does not have to be complete to offer it for sale.  All you need is the cover design image for display on your site and – voila – you can make your offer and collect pre-orders. Just be clear in the description when your customer can expect to receive their purchase. 

Vervante • October 1, 2021

If you have a book or product for sale via Amazon Marketplace - or planning on it for the future - and are unsure how to calculate how much profit you'll make on a sale, we've got you covered. As our customers are prepping for holiday launches for books and planners we've been hearing this question more often, prompting our CEO, Cindy Tyler, to create a video walking you through the process of identifying costs and calculating profits for your listings on Amazon Marketplace. Click here to access this special video with Cindy. In this video we cover: How to have Vervante set up your Amazon listing for you How to access our online retail transaction calculators Details of how Amazon fees work Estimating product and postage costs Calculating final profit amounts If you're curious to learn more about our services listing products on Amazon, the difference between using Vervante vs. KDP (Amazon's publishing services), or details and best practices when it comes to selling and shipping retail products, we invite you to visit our online library of free resources, including the following: Why Vervante vs. Amazon KDP Helpful Hints for Retail Distribution From Retail Sales to Royalties: How Authors Get Paid Bottom line? We want you to feel confident as you list, sell and ship your books and products and know that our team is here for you to help you along the way. For free production quotes, or to answer any other questions you might have, reach out to our team at Vervante customer service, we're here for you!

Vervante • September 14, 2021

Every author  needs a website. Especially self-published authors. Social media is great. But when it comes down to it, an author website that you control is the best way to promote your books, boost your sales, and create a loyal following that will support your future endeavors too. As a self-published author you should have a website, at least one social media account, and an Amazon Author Page that works together in harmony to connect and promote. But the mistake that many authors made is building them – then forgetting about them. An active website can do wonders for sales and engagement. An outdated or stagnant one will do the opposite. Luckily, it’s easy to improve your author website so that you can make sure it’s supporting your goals. If you’re thinking to yourself “Gee, it’s been a while since I’ve checked in to my own site,” we’ve rounded up a few tips for making your author website all it can be. 5 Things You Need for An Author Website First, let’s cover the basics. You should have the following 5 things on your author website. Author Bio Your Books and Products Mailing List Sign Up Contact Info Blog or Calendar Tips for improving your author website TIP #1: AUTHOR BIO: Make sure your bio is up-to-date, and that it includes a clear call-to-action at the end. If a reader feels connect to you, give them a way to stay in touch. This can include pointing them to your email/newsletter sign-up (see Tip #3), buying a book, or even just following you on an active social media account. TIP #2: BOOKS & PRODUCTS: All of the books and products you currently have available for sale should be listed and have easy-to-find links for purchasing. If you have multiple products or lines, make sure this page is well-organized and easy to read. Many readers will go to your website to find your books, and if you make it easy for them to click and buy, you’ll make them very happy (and get more sales!) We encourage you to sell directly from your site using any shopping cart, then let us print and ship the product to your customer.  Selling direct allows you to collect the customer data, specifically their email address, and build your subscriber list. You can then sell your products on Amazon as a secondary distribution channel. TIP #3: MAILING LIST SIGN UP: Start collecting email addresses even if you don’t have a newsletter yet. Building a database of interested followers and loyal fans is a very powerful way to boost future sales, connect with your readers, and create a community that will support you for the long term. (You can read more here about how a contact list can support your next book or product launch.) TIP #4: CONTACT INFO: Don’t leave them hanging. You don’t have to share your personal email or phone number, but be sure that readers have a way to stay in touch including an email/newsletter sign-up, social media, or even how to follow you on your Amazon Author Page. TIP #5: BLOG or CALENDAR PAGE: A blog is a great way to let people know more about you, share your world, announce new books, launch campaigns, and give them a place to connect in a deeper way with you. A calendar is also a great method of announcing events such as book signing, online live streams, holiday promotions, etc. TIP #6: MAKE IT SPECIAL: Offering incentives can go a long way toward creating a loyal and enthusiastic following. Lead Magnets Pre-Sale / Pre-Launch Offers Discounts Bonuses VIP Status Free Content Swag (Stickers are fun -- Custom card decks too!) If you’re gearing up for a book or product launch for the holidays, now is the perfect time to update your author page. Having one more support system updated and ready to go will streamline your launch and help with smooth sales throughout the year ahead.

Vervante • September 9, 2021

You did it! You’ve successfully written and published that book you’ve always dreamed of. Now comes the next big issue, how to be sure that your work is protected by copyright. Here at Vervante we provide copyright services, or you can work with the government directly to secure your own copyright. We've gathered the following information to help you gain a better understanding of what copyright is and how it can protect your book. What is copyright? Copyright is a form of protection grounded in the U.S. Constitution and granted by law for original works of authorship fixed in a tangible medium of expression. What does copyright protect? Copyright protects original works of authorship including literary, dramatic, musical, and artistic works, such as poetry, novels, movies, songs, computer software, and architecture. Copyright does not protect facts, ideas, systems, or methods of operation, although it may protect the way these things are expressed. Do I have to register with the U.S. Copyright Office to be protected? No. In general, registration is voluntary. Copyright exists from the moment the work is created. You will have to register, however, if you wish to bring a lawsuit for infringement of a U.S. work. Can Vervante register for copyright for me? Yes, we can handle the process for you. A Vervante team member will complete the application on your behalf and submit a copy of your book to the Copyright Registration Office. Your book should be complete, available in your Vervante Author Account, and ready for shipping before submitting this request. Here's how it works: Log into your Vervante Author Account and click on Copyright Registration under Publishing accessible via the Services menu. Fill out the form there - all fields are required. Your request will be completed within 10 business days. Your print files will be uploaded to the Copyright Office. You will be charged $95 for this service. In approximately 13 months you will receive the physical certification in the mail. Can I register for a copyright myself? Yes, to file directly with the U.S. Copyright Office website just go to their website at www.copyright.gov and fill out their online application. The online application takes about 15 minutes and there is a fee of $55.00. You will receive a packing slip at the end of the process. This should be printed and a copy of your book mailed to the Copyright Office within 30 days of completing the online submission form. OR, you can upload print files for your product to the Copyright Office. You do NOT have to do both. In approximately 13 months you will receive a certificate of registration in the mail. How much does it cost to file for copyright? Vervante services are $95 (as of September 2021) U.S. Copyright Office fees are $55 (as of September 2021) How soon can I publish my book after applying for a copyright? As soon as you want. Once you have submitted the application and a copy of your book, you do not need to wait for the copyright certificate to proceed with promoting and publishing your book. You are free to log into your Vervante author account to have your book printed and your orders shipped. When is my product copyright protected? Copyright protection exists from the moment the work is created.  Do I have to wait for the certificate? You do not have to wait for the certificate. How long does a copyright last? As a general rule copyright protection lasts for the life of the author plus an additional 70 years. I plan on selling and distributing my book in countries outside the United States. Is my copyright good in other countries?  The United States has copyright relations with most countries throughout the world, and as a result of these agreements, we honor each other's citizens' copyrights. However, the United States does not have such copyright relationships with every country. For a listing of countries and the nature of their copyright relations with the United States, see Circular 38a, International Copyright Relations of the United States. Bottom line? Your book is the result of your hard labor and intellectual brilliance. Taking the step to protect your work, once you’ve written and published, is quick, easy and will provide peace of mind. For more information or to register your book, go to www.copyright.gov.

Vervante • July 27, 2021

In a recent article we talked about a wide variety of items you can add to a package to enhance your customers’ experience. Today, we would like to focus on just one of those – Postcards. Creative postcards added to your product packages are guaranteed to get attention. They are simple, budget-friendly, and offer a surprising among of flexibility. As the first thing your customers will see when they open their packages, postcards add value and set the tone for each customers’ experience. And here’s the fun part… Your postcards can say anything you want. From a photo with a simple thank you, to a full-length mission statement, mantra, or take-action message, you can share a personal, intimate glimpse into you and your company in a way that can create instant connections. We’re not talking about those “wish you were here” travel postcards you see on vacation, but strategically created cards with branding and content that fits what you need. The key is to keep it simple, be real, and share something you know will resonate with your audience. Love this idea? We do! Here are a few ideas for how we’ve seen our customers get creative with postcards: Welcome Get Started Instructions Mission Statements Mantras or Affirmations Offers for Free Items Discount Codes Contact Information Invitations to “secret” pages on your site or forums for customers only Tickets to special events Postcards can be printed any size and shape, but generally range from playing card size to traditional postcard size. They are printed on heavy stock, can be on both sides, and in color or black & white. There’s a lot of power in these little cards. We’d love to help you harness it! If you’re interested in creating a batch of custom postcards to include with the packaging of your Vervante-created products, let us know at [email protected]. We can give you a free quote for creating the cards, and let you know how we can include them in all of your future mailings. You provide the design, we’ll get it to your customers, as easy as that.

Vervante • July 7, 2021

Some authors come to us to self-publish one book. But most authors end up creating multiple books and products, as it’s hard to turn off inspiration (and your audience keeps asking for more!). No matter what kind of books you’re writing – from fitness to finance to fun cozy murder-mysteries – there’s something that everyone should understand early in the process: The benefits of publishing imprints for self-published authors. What is a publishing imprint? A publishing imprint is the name assigned to an ISBN. It will be the name listed as publisher on your book copyright or imprint page, on the back cover of your book, and in retail descriptions such as Amazon. Benefits of creating a publishing imprint Authors who publish their works under imprints set themselves apart from other self-published authors who have no imprint and are publishing under their own names. Having your book listed with a publisher name that is different than your own creates a level of professionalism that can overcome bias that many still have against self-publishing. Having an "official" name on the back of that book gives it a professionalism that many readers are looking for. It also helps you create continuity with your branding, and gives you more flexibility in marketing and sales. How to create a publishing imprint When you work with Vervante, you have the flexibility to choose between using us (Vervante) as your imprint, or creating one for yourself. Using Vervante as your imprint: If an author uses an ISBN purchased through Vervante, then Vervante will be listed as your imprint. Using Vervante ISBNs and listing Vervante as your publisher adds credibility as we are an established, respected publisher who has been in business for 21 years. Another benefit to using our ISBN is that you, as the author, retain full rights to your ISBN and content (a benefit that many other publishing companies do not offer.)  Creating your own imprint: If you already have a business brand name and your book is a part of that business, you might choose to create an imprint that is consistent with your business. For example, if your brand is “Fitness International,” and you are writing a series of books about nutrition, health and wellness, your publishing imprint could simply be “Fitness International Press.” If an author wants to create and use their own imprint, they must purchase their ISBNs directly from Bowker. When you purchase your ISBN directly from them, you can set up the publisher name that will be attached to it. PLEASE NOTE: If you purchase ISBNs from Bowker, you don't need to purchase barcodes as well. There are a number of free barcode generators online that you can use. An imprint is a great way for self-published authors to brand their works and elevate their credibility by having a professional publishing name associated with their books. If you have any questions about using Vervante as your imprint, or creating your own, please email our team

Vervante • June 30, 2021

One step in the sales process that is important to plan ahead for is returned orders. There are a lot of reasons for returns, but no matter why, we can help you plan ahead to create a hassle-free process for both yourself and your customer. RETURNS POLICY First, we highly recommend that you share your return policy with customers by including it on your packing slip. For directions on how to do this, see this article on our website: "How to Customize Your Packing Slip." Here is an example you can customize to fit your needs: "This product was shipped to you by Vervante in partnership with YOUR COMPANY NAME. In the unlikely event of damage during shipment, please contact Vervante at [email protected]. YOUR COMPANY NAME offers a 100% satisfaction guarantee. If you would like to return the product, please make a copy of this packing slip and return that copy with the product to: COMPANY MAILING ADDRESS. When we receive your return (FURTHER INSTRUCTIONS HERE)."  WHAT HAPPENS TO RETURNS When a return is received, our receiving department will e-mail you that the package has been returned. As of March 15, 2022, returns sent to Vervante will incur a $4.00 charge to your account. Damaged products: In the unlikely event of damage during shipment, please contact Vervante at [email protected] (or have your customer contact us) and we will replace that item. Address issues: Any address issues that make your product undeliverable will be returned to our office. We will notify you when we receive it, and the reason for the return. If we receive a return for insufficient address or address problems, and you are able to provide us with an updated correct address, we will reship the order at no additional charge except for the postage. If a product has NOT been opened, used or is not damaged, we will re-use the product. If the product HAS been opened, we do not re-use returns and they will be destroyed immediately. ORDER PROCESSING & SHIPPING For more information about how order processing and shipping work for all of your books and products with Vervante see this article: "How Vervante Order Processing & Shipping Works." Returns happen, and we're here to help you handle them as gracefully as possible. For questions or requests regarding book or other products returns, please reach out to our team at [email protected].

Vervante • June 8, 2021

If you’re looking for a secret weapon to support your Amazon sales, here it is – Amazon Author Pages! Authors who sell books on Amazon automatically have access to this very cool – and free – resource, but often don’t know they can use it, or forget about it with all the hustle and bustle of a sales launch. Amazon Author Pages help you to connect with your readers by providing detailed information about you, your books, and any other links or products you’d like to promote. There’s even a way for people to “Follow” you on Amazon so fans can be alerted when you debut new items. If you haven’t used this resource yet – or maybe set one up but forgot about it – it’s not too late. Here’s what you need to do:   How to set up an Amazon Author Page Get started by going to Amazon Author Central and log in to your account. If this is the first time you're logging in to Author Central, follow their directions for verifying your account and linking to your existing books for sale on Amazon. Once you've done that, Amazon will walk you through the rest of the setup steps. Here are a few pro tips to make sure you are using this resource to its best: Amazon Profile: Start by uploading a current photo.  Biography: Sharing your story helps readers make a stronger connection with you. Blogs: Link to your blog so updates will be posted on your Author Page as well. Photos & Videos: Upload event videos, book trailers, speaking highlights, interviews, etc. Once you’ve filled in all the information, check that all of your books are listed on your Author Page. If any of your books are not listed, go to the Books tab and click Add more books. To see how your Amazon Author Page looks to other people, click on the link provided in the Profile section. You'll also see a tab at the top called "Reports and Marketing," where you can: Use the Sales Rank feature to check how your book is performing in Amazon. Check Customer Reviews under the Reports + Marketing tab  Want to see how other authors are using Amazon Author Pages? Here are a couple you can check out for inspiration: Melanie Beckler Judi Holler Amazon Author Pages are free to set up and a great opportunity you don’t want to miss. We hope this inspired you to get started on your own, and please let us know if you have any questions.

Vervante • May 25, 2021

When you place an order and open your package, what is the first thing you see? Often, it’s the packing slip inside! This simple piece of paper is often overlooked, but can be customized to make it a useful, interesting, and value-adding part of your customer’s experience. Think of the packing slip as a valuable piece of real estate perfect for sharing information like: A greeting or message that makes a personal connection Your logo for brand awareness Return policies that eliminate confusion about time frames or refunds Business address and contact information (PLEASE NOTE: Prices are NOT included on our packing slips.) Here at Vervante, we provide the ability to customize packing slips – and you can even print out a sample to see how it will look from your customer’s perspective. Here’s how to get started First, log into your Vervante author account, then select “Customize My Packing Slip” on your Author Dashboard. From this page, you have options to customize in the following ways: Add a logo Input your business address Add a personal greeting, instructions, return policy, or other message Include a custom return address if needed When you make a change to your packing slip, be sure to click on the “UPDATE” button at the bottom of the page to save your changes. Then you can click on the “PRINT SAMPLE” button to print out a copy and proofread your changes. Too often, the value of these small slips of paper that come with packages are overlooked. We hope this gave you some great ideas and useful info for customizing your packing slips. And if you have any questions, please let us know. We're here to help at [email protected].

Vervante • May 16, 2021

You’ve created the perfect planner, now the big question is how much to charge for it? It’s like a scary math problem where the answer isn’t always clear. Price it too high and no one will buy. Price it too low and you devalue your work and your profits. Finding the right price doesn’t have to feel like a guessing game, though, especially if you follow these steps. (btw, these work for any product – books, journals, card decks, etc.) STEP #1: Research similar products and see what they are charging. This will give you a starting price range and an idea of what customers are willing to pay. A note about pricing: If your community is relatively small and you’re planning on printing a small batch, for example less than 500 planners, don’t compare your product and price point to planner industry leaders Emily Ley or Erin Condren who both print thousands at a time, making their costs significantly lower.  STEP #2: Calculate your costs including printing, production, and fulfillment to get a break-even baseline. If you plan to sell on Amazon, remember to add in 15% commission for Amazon.  If you sell from your own site, include fees such as credit card processing and other merchant fees. STEP #3: Consider the value your book, planner or product is offering to your customer. Will this product help them save time, money, stress? If you deliver a lot of value, this in turn raises the value of your product and the price you can charge. STEP #4: Set a price that feels right to you. If you think you’re charging too little, then you’ll feel resentful and that will come through. If you think you are charging too much, you might feel nervous, unsure or scared to put it out there. STEP #5: Poll beta testers. Reach out to friends, colleagues, anyone who might fit your target customer demographic and ask for feedback.  A soft-launch is a great way to test the water.  Pre-orders are another great way to test your product, price, and even help determine how many to print. The other added benefit of pre-orders is that it helps offset the cost of the print run. STEP #6: Relax that this isn’t set in stone. Pricing can be nerve-racking, we know, but you can always adjust. You might start out with an introductory price to test the waters and then adjust it to fit demand. Coupon codes, special packaged deals, and other similar methods can be used until you’ve got it just right. STEP #7: Add value to support your price: Make the price you set a no-brainer by adding so much value that your customer is excited to buy! Create packages to make it unique and different than anything else – and add value with extra products that complement it. For example, for daily planners you could include extras like pens, clips, bookmarks, notepads, stickers, card decks, or even experiences like an introductory coaching session or limited-time membership in a mastermind or online program. Adding a little something extra like this will elevate your planner's value in your customer's eyes. Yes, there might be similar products with lower prices (that are most likely bulk-produced in China), but you have the ability with self-publishing services to create something unique, elevate your customer's experience, and make yours the choice they want.

Vervante • April 13, 2021

We're very excited to share with you today a new expert guides now available on our website Expert Guides page. It's free, easy to download and print, and we can't wait for you to see it. New Free Guide: Amazon Images & "Peek Inside" Feature This expert guide shares how to provide images for your listing, and how to add a popular feature  that shoppers love. We can use single images of a book cover, or we can use designed images (like the one here with multiple products). We can also help you set up something similar to Amazon's popular "Look Inside" feature so customers can get a taste of the book or product you're offering for sale. We offer this service for both Amazon and Vervante Bookstore listings, called "Peek Inside." You're invited to check out our new guide, recently posted to the Expert Guides page on our website, for details. If you'd like to set this up for your listings in Amazon or the Vervante Bookstore, just following the easy direction in the user guide. And we'll be here at [email protected] if you need any help. You can view and download this guide, and many others, on our Expert Guides page on the website.

Vervante • April 6, 2021

Spiral binding is popular for many types of books because it makes them so much easier to use. Planners, journals, workbooks, cookbooks, and coloring books are often so much easier to read and write in with spiral binding as it allows them to open fully and lay flat. Picture a coloring book or planner that is perfect bound, like a novel, next to one with spiral binding that lays flat, and you’ll see why spiral binding is often the better choice. Did you know, however, that spiral binding on-demand is rare in the publishing world? That’s why we’re happy to share with you that we offer on demand spiral binding and the ability to sell your spiral-bound product on Amazon and anywhere else you want too. Spiral binding options Spiral binding is sometimes also called spiral coil, plastic coil or coil binding. Spiral binding is durable, won't break or bend under pressure, and comes in more than 50 different colors allowing you to customize your book by matching the binding to the cover for a unique and attractive finish. Spiral is also available in metal.  This is a very popular option over metal wire-o binding. The reason is because it is a continuous metal spiral so the binding cannot come apart. Sometimes with wire-o binding, the loops can be pulled apart or they inadvertently don’t get clamped together properly. We love metal spiral binding because this doesn’t happen. Metal spiral is available in three colors: silver, black and white. We stock silver metal spiral. Black and white can be special ordered. Plastic spiral is available in more than 50 colors. We stock black and white. Other colors can be special ordered. Both Metal and Plastic spiral binding are available on-demand or for bulk orders. Wire-o binding A similar binding option for books is wire-o binding, also known as twin loop, double-loop, or wire binding. It also allows a book to lay flat, comes in a variety of colors, and is a popular choice for journals and planners. The minimum order quantity for wire-o binding is 25. Click on these links to see the color options for plastic spiral, metal spiral, and metal wire-o binding: Metal Wire-o Metal Spiral Plastic Spiral Using spiral or wire-o binding with custom covers We offer both soft and hard cover options with spiral and wire-o binding. Spiral and wire-o binding can be used with all of our cover options: Soft covers Poly paper covers 2-ply board covers Hard covers If you want the best of both worlds – a spiral bound book that lays flat, but has a spine like a traditional book that looks good on a shelf – we offer a unique wrap-around cover that provides everything you want. Spiral binding videos Be sure to watch the videos in our website Video Vault to see multiple highlights of products with spiral binding, wire-o binding, and all of the customizations we mentioned here. We offer samples for spiral bound products to help you see and feel how it might function with your own products. You can see our sample offerings page here.  We are also happy to provide free quotes for spiral-bound products, or answer questions at [email protected].

Vervante • March 10, 2021

One of the most important steps for any project is the first step. Decades of experience in the publishing industry has taught us that just the act of getting started and gathering your thoughts and ideas can be one of the hardest things you do. So for anyone who has a vision for a new product, and needs a little guidance for what steps to start with, we’re gathered these tips for you. Define your product Gathering your ideas is the first step toward turning an idea into the real deal. A good place to start is to look at other similar products like the one you are about to create. Determine what you like about them such as size, number of pages, fonts, colors, type of binding, and any other special treatments. Then take those ideas and incorporate them as you plan out the details for your product. Watch product videos A great place to get ideas and see how things look in real life is by watching the videos on the Vervante Video Vault web page. The videos spotlight a variety of products close-up and in action, narrated by our CEO, and showing ways to create and elevate your products. Currently there are videos for binders, planners, journals, card decks, calendars, custom printed boxes, greeting cards, stickers, book cover treatments, and more. We’re always adding something new, so be sure to check back often for lots of ideas and inspiration. Find useful guides on our blog Our blog is absolutely packed full of information, updates and how-to’s for all of the products and services we offer. Here are just a few examples that can prove very valuable for illuminating and guiding you through your project: How to Sell on Amazon, Etsy & your own website all at once Step-by-step guide for creating custom card decks How to use ISBN, LCCN, and Copyright How to create a 2022 daily planner How to prepare your files for printing How to create customized journals Steps for setting up pre-sale offers How to set up shipping & postage Order samples If you’re unsure how some thing will look in person, we offer samples that can be ordered to try out. We have a Samples Page on our website filled with products you can order to help you make your final decision. Our newest and most popular sample is the Paper Sample Notepad that includes eight of our most popular paper options. We also offer samples for books, book binding, calendars, card decks and greeting cards, posters, binders, printed boxes, pocket planners, newsletters, notepads, certificates and more.  Get a free quote Finally, did you know that you can get a free quote estimating your printing costs before you are ready to print? This will help you plan for budgeting and costs as you design your product. All you need to know to get a quote are general specifications. Here are a few examples: Books: Size of book, number of pages, hardcover or soft, binding type, color or b&w Card decks or greeting cards: Size of cards, number of cards, color or b&w, packaging Planners or journals: Size of planner, number of pages, page size, tabs, covers, binding, etc. To request a quote, go to the Vervante website home page and click on “Get a Quote” at the top, right of the page. Fill out the required information and we will send you an email response with the quote information.    We hope this helps you to avoid that “I’m not sure where to start” feeling. And we’re excited to help you create and share books, planners and products that you’ve always dreamed of. For questions or ideas, you can always reach us at [email protected].

Vervante • December 15, 2020

As we approach the end of 2020, there's a lot we could say, but here's what is most important ... we made it! We stuck it out together. And we're so grateful to be here with you as we look toward a New Year, new possibilities, and a future that we can make brighter together. Even though most of us are pretty happy to see 2020 in the rear view mirror, there were some good things. And since a lot of you might have been a bit distracted for a few months, we thought it would be fun to round up some of the best of what we put out this year - new products, enhanced services, ideas that can help you share your talents in a bigger way. So here's our Best of 2020, wrapped up with a sparkly bow! #1 Pandemic Pivots The world changed quickly this year, and we all did our best to roll with the punches and change with it. Working from home brought new challenges and new opportunities, and we did our best to support you throughout. Shipping During the Pandemic Best Products to Sell During the Quarantine Working from Home Tips from the Vervante Staff #2 Planners Galore Planning for the future is always fun, but there was just something about this year that make it feel absolutely essential. Daily planners exploded as one of the hottest products to make, and we make sure to give you everything you need to create planners (and journals!) that help your customers find the success they deserve. How to create customized journals How to turn a planner into a complete collection 2021 Planner Debut (planners you can still order and customize to sell as your own) #3 Author / Entrepreneur Empowerment Our bottom line is to help you succeed, so we are always looking for new ways to educate and empower our customers with guides, how-to's, and everything you need to take action, turn your ideas into products, and make the process and easy and lucrative for you as possible.  How to Set Up a Pre-Sale Offer Don't Want to Deal with Credit Cards? We can do it for you! How to Set Up Shipping & Postage How to Sell on Amazon, Etsy & Your Own Website All at Once Creative Ways to Launch a Book or Other Product #4 In the Know Knowledge is power and we did our best to share the latest and best to keep you in the know. From postal policies to new product to how-to guides, our team at Vervante headquarters makes sure you stayed informed. Paper Samples: We now have a notepad of paper samples available. It includes eight of our most popular paper options and is a great resources for helping to decide what type of paper you should choose for your books or products. The Vervante Video Vault: A page filled with videos highlighting products and inspired ideas Free Guide: How to Create a Coloring Book Our 3-Step Guide for Crushing NaNoWriMo Expert Tips for Creating Adult Coloring Books What to Put on Your Book Copyright Page Here’s to starting 2021 in a memorable and exciting way! We'd love to know what your thoughts and wishes are for the New Year, so please feel free to email us with your ideas for products or services we can add to continue to serve you best.

Vervante • November 3, 2020

We’re so excited to share the news with you of a new book that’s recently launched with a bold message, unique content, and impressive team of authors supporting it. In fact, we’re honored to be a part of that team as both publisher for the book and as one of the contributors.  “The STEW: Smart Talk Exceptional Women: Art & Insights By Women For The World” was written by 60+ women connected to Colorado’s CampExperience™ Network during COVID-19. Known as “The STEW,” this colorful 200-page book launched Oct. 1, 2020 and features heartfelt stories written by 60+ women, poetry by Carol Calkins, and inspirational art by Vervante client Betsy Wiersma. This endeavor began with Betsy Wiersma, author, artist and founder of the CampExperience™ Network. The idea for this book stems from Betsy’s belief that women thrive on real-life innovation, ideas, and experiences shared by other women. In her years spent building the 5,000+ CampExperience™ Network and raising over $1 million cash and in-kind donations for charities around the world, Betsy has found that women thrive when exposed to smart talk, bold ideas, and insights shared from life’s journey. The STEW is a book filled with curated content from women who have opened their hearts and have a passion for serving others. Inside its colorful pages readers will find a yummy mix of inspirational art, proven ideas, heart-felt stories, poetry, and quotes from real women in the real world. The book is organized into five sections: Share Your Voice, Creativity Connects, Love Wins, Do Good Have Fun, and Fly! The authors range in age from 18 to 75 and reside in seven countries (Australia, England, Israel, Italy, Kenya, Norway and United States). “We’re very excited for this book, proud to have been a part of bringing it to life, and grateful for the opportunity to share this with you,” said Cindy Tyler, Vervante CEO and founder.  “Betsy began with printing art cards and a card deck, and keeps us busy growing her products. We love The STEW.” Below you’ll find more information about the book and a sampling of the authors and content inside. First, here are a few quick links if you’re ready to take action now: Facebook Instagram Learn More / Purchase (hard and soft-cover options available) CampExperience Network Authors you’ll experience inside The STEW include: >> Australian Gretchen Gagel, PhD is the managing director – Asia Pacific for Conversant, owner of Greatness Consulting, and affiliate professor at the University of Denver – Daniels School of Business and The Australian National University College of Business and Economics. The former president of The Women’s Foundation of Colorado and a female executive in the male-dominated industries of manufacturing, engineering and construction, Gagel developed a deep passion for investing in female leaders and is author of “8 Steps to Being a Great Working Mom.” In “The STEW,” Gagel writes about allowing your voice and the voice of others to be heard. She emphasizes, “Giving people voice engages them, empowers them, and fuels such amazing collaboration and innovation.” >> Based in Salt Lake City, Utah, Brittani Coury landed a silver medal in banked slalom snowboarding at the 2018 Paralympic Winter Games in PyeongChang, South Korea and also is a motivational speaker and registered nurse. When her World Cup season came to an abrupt end in March 2020 due to COVID-19, the 34-year-old put her scrubs back on to help out on the acute internal medicine floor at University of Utah Hospital. Originally from Durango, a terrible snowboarding accident shattered her right ankle in 2003, resulting in a joint that never healed, multiple operations and amputation below her right knee in 2011. Coury shares her journey to the Paralympics and expertly narrates what it was like to take three gutsy and nerve-racking runs to a silver medal. She says, “I knew this was my opportunity to be a positive example to the world of someone who gets back up when they’re knocked down.” >> Holly Forlenza has never spoken a word but she has a lot to say. She has severe epilepsy and bilateral hearing loss and is on the autism spectrum. Sadly, Forlenza’s inability to speak masked her wisdom for more than 20 years, but she fortunately crossed paths with Dr. Christi Kasa, an expert in facilitated communication in 2011. Kasa recognized Forlenza’s literary skills, and through years of patience and practice she now types on an iPad with the assistance of aides to express a message of love, hope and resilience. Holly and her mother, Eileen, share Holly’s story with community groups, associations and corporations to inspire and advocate for others who are unable to speak. In her STEW essay “How Love is in the Eyes of the People Before You,” Holly writes, “I think the things we as women need to do are simple. Loving yourself, loving others, and loving God. Sounds hard but we are the ones pushing ourselves to make others happy at our own expense. It is easy to do those three things if you slow down.” >> As the CEO of Women’s Bean Project, Tamra Ryan has been the Denver-based organization’s visionary leader for more than 17 years. She has been instrumental in putting the organization on the national and international map as a high-performing and impactful social enterprise, which works to affect chronic unemployment and poverty among women. Ryan’s book “The Third Law”  highlights societal obstacles and internal demons that must be overcome for marginalized women to change their lives, and is currently working on “Followship: How to be a leader worth following.” For “The STEW,” Ryan writes about the role of compassion and kindness in overcoming negative thoughts for ourselves and others. “First, we must give ourselves the grace to be messy and imperfect. Next, we must create a practice of imagining we are deserving of love from those who love us unconditionally. Finally, we can extend this same love to others.”  >> Poet Carol Calkins, PhD (at left) is a retired hospital and university administrator as well as a grandma, poet and executive director of the Global Sisterhood Network. She started writing poetry after the loss of a dear friend and was inspired even more by a CampExperience™ Fall Retreat that asked participants to “share their voice.” Carol rediscovered her lifelong love of poetry and is the author of five poetry books and HeartPoems, which are individual poem cards for sharing daily inspiration. >> Cindy Tyler, CEO of Vervante, Inc., (at right) is dedicated to helping people publish their passion and use their talents and creativity to make a positive difference in the world. In her chapter for The STEW, titled “How to unleash our inner creative spark,” Cindy provides inspiration and take-action ideas for using the creativity we all have as a force against the negativity and chaos that is in the world today, unleashing it’s power to balance the dark and bring more light back into our lives. >> Betsy Wiersma (pictured below) combines positive intention, love and scrap materials. Her playful style calls forth our participation, as each piece encourages people to live their best lives and to savor the journey. “At the ripe old age of 56, I stumbled upon an art program in California hosted by Kelly Rae Roberts. I booked a spot for myself and a friend; between serving the growing tribe in CampExperience™ and my daughter growing up, I realized I was not doing anything for myself,” she explains. “I needed to escape my normal life and responsibilities and let myself just be ... in art!” Since then, Wiersma has created more than 100 pieces, inspired and curated “The STEW,” and has designed and produced two inspirational card decks, greeting cards and blessing journals.  She also shares stories of inspiration in the book If you’re inspired to take action, here are some next steps you can take: PREVIEW THE BOOK: Learn all about the inspiration, authors, art and ideas that combined to create The STEW here: https://campexperience.com/THE-STEW. BUY THE BOOK: Prepare to be inspired! Click on the following links to purchase:  Paperback or Hardcover.   CONNECT AND CREATE WITH BETSY: Are you interested in creating a book like this? If you’d like to learn about how Betsy can help you with your own project like The STEW, complete with podcasts and events that connect your tribe, email her at [email protected]. Thanks for letting us share, we’re always excited to spread the news of books and products that we know will be a force for good and positivity in the world.